Although Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command 1st Lt. Jennifer Hannigan only started running when she was in high school, her success in the sport would lead you to believe she is destined for running greatness.

Hannigan, SDDC Command Operations Integration Center battle captain, recently competed in the Armed Forces Cross Country Championship where she placed 4th overall, landing her a coveted spot to compete in the World Cross Country Championships to be held later this year at Luanda, Angola.

Hannigan ran the 10k course with a time of 38:05, helping her U.S. Army Cross Country Team win the overall gold medal.

"It was not my fastest, but time is relative for these types of races," said Hannigan.

According to Hannigan, cross country running is about competing and how you place since you're racing through hills, dirt, grass, and other terrain.

Hannigan, who was recruited by West Point to throw the Javelin, felt she had more potential in the running events, and eventually ran all four years before graduating from the military academy.

"I had a successful college career, but upon graduation, I hung up my track spikes and began to focus on the road races," she said.

Hannigan reported to SDDC in January. She arrived from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where she began competing for the U.S. Army in various distance running events to include the Army 10-miler and the Marine Corps Marathon.

When asked about the reason for her success, she replied, "I would not be where I am today without the love and support from my family."

Additionally, she went on to add, "I want to thank my husband for continuing to support me through long hours of training and traveling to competitions."

The Armed Forces event was held in conjunction with the United States Cross Country Championships (USATF) in Tallahassee, Florida.